Fiat Chrysler Automobiles reveals future plans

In a long and detailed presentation on May 6, 2014, all the various brands of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) group revealed their big plans for the coming five years. For most of the mainstream brands, that involves increasing global sales by significant margins, including India, which is tipped to become the world’s third-largest car market by 2018. The company says although the largest market in India is hatchbacks, the fastest growing is UVs (which includes SUVs and crossovers) and these two are where it will focus its offensive.

As for production in India, Fiat’s Ranjangaon plant currently produces three cars on a single platform, along with three engines and one gearbox. By 2018, with Jeep having been introduced, that will grow to six models on three platforms, six engines and three transmissions.

The other big news is that the number of platforms used across the group globally will go down from eight to five, dubbed Mini, B-Wide, Compact Wide, Large, and Body-on-Frame. Here are some of the highlights from the various presentations:

Fiat

Fiat’s big plan is that it wants to raise its global sales from the current 1.5 million units to 1.9 million units by 2018. A big part of this involves growth in North America, Latin America and particularly Asia Pacific, which includes India. Although it will not account for the largest volumes, Fiat plans for the greatest growth in the Asia Pacific region, with the current 70,000-odd units planned to expand to 3,00,000 by 2018. Part of this ambitious plan is down to new models like the facelifted Punto and the Avventura, both of which are confirmed for an India launch in 2014. Other models in the pipeline for the region include a new D-sedan in 2016, likely a replacement for the Viaggio sold in other markets, and interestingly, an all-new compact crossover SUV in 2018. The not-so-great news for us is that many of the upcoming models that Fiat classifies as ‘Emotional’ or aspirational don’t appear to be destined for our market, with the more affordable, practical models headed our way instead. So, don’t hold your breath for the 500X crossover, or indeed the new, rear-wheel-drive Fiat roadster that will be based on the next Mazda MX-5. Still, with the 500 Abarth making its way here this year as a CBU, and a locally assembled Punto Abarth coming in 2015, we will get our dose of excitement from Fiat.

Jeep

Small is the new big, and Jeep realises that; this year’s Renegade compact SUV and the earlier Cherokee are evidence of that. The company will introduce a new mid-size SUV to replace its Compass and Patriot models for its 75th anniversary in 2016, with replacements for the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee and a facelifted Renegade in 2017. Like Fiat, Jeep too wants to grow in other global markets, and in so doing, regain its former title of the World’s Number One SUV Manufacturer. Driving this growth will not only be the new models and dealers, but also increased production, which for this region will come from factories in China and indeed India. Speaking of which, Jeep is definitely making its Indian entry next year, with the Wrangler in mid-2015, followed by the CKD-assembled Grand Cherokee. The year 2016, meanwhile, will see the Indian launch of a new ‘C-SUV’, also locally assembled. Jeep may have stumbled with its original India launch, but as is clear from this presentation, the company has big plans for our market in the not too distant future.

European brands

Maserati’s stunning Alfieri concept shown at this year’s Geneva motor show will make production in 2016, powered by a range of V6 turbo-petrol engines ranging between 404bhp and 513bhp in either rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive, with a convertible version to follow soon after. But despite its resemblance to today’s GranTurismo coupé, it’s actually much smaller; the bigger GT will be replaced by a larger, 552bhp V8-powered all new car in 2018. More unusual for Maserati is the introduction of the Levante SUV, which should target the likes of the Porsche Cayenne and Range Rover Sport. It will be powered by petrol and diesel V6 engines and a range-topping turbo-petrol V8.

Alfa Romeo’s current range is made up of two hatchbacks and the 4C sportscar, but that’s soon to change. First up will be a convertible of the 4C this year, followed by a new 3-series rival in 2015, tipped to be called the Giulia. Thereafter, however, there will be a whole new range of models – sedans and SUVs – with primarily rear-wheel-drive layouts, to take on the German luxury brands between 2016 and 2018. Most of the new models will be accompanied by high-performance ‘Cloverleaf’ variants as well.

American brands

Chrysler’s performance brand SRT is no more, with all its models being re-absorbed by their original makers – either Chrysler or Dodge. For fans of American sports cars, that means that the famous V10-powered two-seat sportscar is once again called the Dodge Viper, and not the SRT Viper.

Dodge, meanwhile, will update most of its existing models until 2016, after which they will all be replaced by new models, one by one, until 2018. Most models will also be accompanied by high-performance SRT versions.

Premium brand Chrysler is focussing on updating its hugely popular 300C sedan this year, but the more significant news is that it will introduce a small sedan called the 100, which will serve as the entry point to the brand, in 2016.

GAVIN D’SOUZA